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25 years ago I had a vasectomy. About 16 years ago, I started having scrotal/testicular pain on the right side. A urologist said I had epididymitis, and put me on antibiotics. When the pain continued he suggested a cord block to find out if the pain was truly in the epididymis, or being referred from somewhere else. Since the cord block temporarily stopped the pain, he finally recommended having an epididymectomy done. After recovery from that surgery, the pain continued, and I was told that I was among the unfortunate 5% who continued to have pain after the surgery.

Since the pain was mild, I just lived with it, using OTC pain relievers and wearing a scrotal suspensory as needed. In the last few months however the pain has dramatically increased. I did a self examination and discovered that my right testicle has atrophied. It is much smaller than it used to be.

I went back to the same urology clinic, and was told (after a very brief exam) that the only option is to remove the right testicle to stop the pain. I am not too worried about having it removed, since my left testicle is fine, and I have never had any problem with it. I am just not convinced that I will have relief from the pain. What if I am "among the unfortunate 5% who continued to have pain after the surgery?"

I am planning to make an appointment with a different urologist, at a different clinic, for another opinion.

Any suggestions on what I should do would be appreciated!

Thanks for your Reply!

4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Post epididymectomy pain25 years ago I had a vasectomy. About 16 years ago, I started having scrotal/testicular pain on the right side. A urologist said I had epididymitis, and put me on antibiotics. When the pain continued he suggested a cord block to find out if the pain was truly in the epididymis, or being referred from somewhere else. Since the cord block temporarily stopped the pain, he finally recommended having an epididymectomy done. After recovery from that surgery, the pain continued, and I was told that I was among the unfortunate 5% who continued to have pain after the surgery.

Since the pain was mild, I just lived with it, using OTC pain relievers and wearing a scrotal suspensory as needed. In the last few months however the pain has dramatically increased. I did a self examination and discovered that my right testicle has atrophied. It is much smaller than it used to be.

I went back to the same urology clinic, and was told (after a very brief exam) that the only option is to remove the right testicle to stop the pain. I am not too worried about having it removed, since my left testicle is fine, and I have never had any problem with it. I am just not convinced that I will have relief from the pain. What if I am "among the unfortunate 5% who continued to have pain after the surgery?"

I am planning to make an appointment with a different urologist, at a different clinic, for another opinion.

Follow through on your plans for a second opinion, one should always get one before having elective surgery. That way you also can choose surgeons, having met them both. Ask them for infection rates, etc. to help you decide.

Take care, Annette

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Post epididymectomy painFollow through on your plans for a second opinion, one should always get one before having elective surgery. That way you also can choose surgeons, having met them both. Ask them for infection rates, etc. to help you decide.

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